Marauding AFC Leopards rip Tusker's FKF Cup script

A solitary strike by Isaac Kipyegon was all AFC Leopards needed to knock Tusker FC out of the Football Kenya Federation Cup in a tense but austere quarterfinal fixture staged at the overused Ruaraka Grounds on Wednesday afternoon.

The clash between the current league leaders, Tusker, and the third-placed Ingwe was expected to produce fireworks owing to the longstanding rivalry. However, the fixture failed to live up to the hot billing as only a converted penalty from Kipyegon was what separated the two sides with too many wanting displays in front of goal.

Tusker started the game with some strong intent. As early as the seventh minute, Sammy Meja, from a free kick situation just outside the Ingwe penalty box, forced goalkeeper John Oyemba into a diving save with the ball threatening to squeeze into the top left corner.

That momentary display of intent quickly fizzled out as both teams failed to conjure up more creative and clear cut chances in front of goal. As the game progressed, Tusker enjoyed a large share of the ball as Ingwe resorted to soaking in pressure and trying to hit the Brewers on the break using the pace of Elvis Rupia and Harrison Mwendwa but the Brewers were equal to any threat posed.

The Brewers who dominated possession could not make any meaningful use as the Ingwe unit stood its ground in limiting them to half chances far from the danger territory.

The defining moment of the game came in the 38th minute from a rare Ingwe corner. Austin Odhiambo floated the ball and a flicked header from the resultant cross was handled by Humprey Mieno leaving the referee with no option but to point to the penalty kick.

Captain of the day, Isaac Kipyegon, just as he did in the round of 16 against Bungoma Superstars, stepped up and coolly as you like, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Ingwe the lead.

Surprised by the scoreline, Tusker increased the tempo a notch higher, but still their efforts proved futile.

At the stroke of half time however, the Brewers almost changed the half time team talk when an in form Henry Meja, who had scored two goals consecutively in two previous games, struck a volley on goal but an alert John Oyemba in the Leopards goal spared his team from conceeding as he punched the ball for a corner.

Meja was not letting up anytime soon. His header from the corner he won sent Oyemba once again sprawling to make a diving save in quick succession which denied the teenage sensation from finding the equalizing goal.

That proved to be the final act of Tusker's increased ascendancy as the referee blew for the half time break much to the relief of Ingwe.

Upon second half's resumption, Tusker picked up from where they left it, probing and knocking endlessly on the Ingwe door but a resolute Ingwe played as if on a mission - to increase their chances of winning the cup they last won in 2017.

Meja missed a gaping chance to restore his side back into the game when he placed his free header wide off goal when he was completely unmarked.

The match quickly turned into a scrappy and physical dog fight; Leopards dead determined to maintain their narrow advantage while Tusker were keen to find a way back in the match.

In the 89th minute, Apolo Otieno missed the glorious chance of the game that would have put Tusker back into contention for a semifinal berth. Boniface Muchiri sent into a cross from the right hand channel and Oyemba in goal who had come out of his line fumbled to puck up the cross. With an open goal, a goalkeeper on the ground and no marker anywhere near to close him down, the midfielder blasted his chance over the bar to compound the struggles in front of goal.

That costly chance proved to be the final chance as Ingwe hanged on to advance to the semi finals of the cup where they will take on a surprise division one side Equity FC.